CC* Integration-Large: Husker-Net: Open Nebraska End-to-End Wireless Edge Networks

中西部网络和计算基础设施的缺乏一直在扩大美国城乡之间的数字和经济差距。内布拉斯加大学林肯分校（UNL）是内布拉斯加州（EPSCoR州）的主要研究型大学，在内布拉斯加州各地开展广泛的研究活动，包括精准农业，自动驾驶和物联网。现有的无线连接解决方案，例如，LoRaWAN、WLAN和商用蜂窝网络在覆盖范围、吞吐量、灵活性、成本效益和性能保证方面无法支持该领域的各种研究项目。该项目概述了一种新型的开放式端到端蜂窝边缘网络（Husker-Net），通过在多个UNL校园的光许可CBRS频谱上设计，部署和运营专用5G网络。Husker-Net具有超低运营成本和开源模块，灵活部署有线和无线回程（例如，位于内布拉斯加州中部的LEO），以及采用自动无模型算法的零接触管理。为了实现Husker-Net，该项目将1）设计一个新的融合RAN-Edge-CN架构，其中包含开源RAN，Edge和CN模块，2）设计具有隔离虚拟化资源的新的经济高效的RAN和CN虚拟化技术，以及3）设计一个新的无模型资源分配算法，通过端到端网络切片支持共存的研究项目，并确保性能。Husker-Net中的衍生解决方案和实际操作数据集将开源，以促进蜂窝网络的开放性和研究界的更广泛访问。Husker-Net将在ITS的协助下支持UNL多个部门的10多个研究项目，并继续与研究经济发展办公室（ORED）一起沿着探索更多的项目。基于Husker-Net，将开发一个全校范围的教育实验平台，为UNL的一系列本科和研究生课程服务。Husker-Net将作为评估和测试中西部州专用网络的示范平台。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

The lack of network and computing infrastructure in the Midwest have been enlarging the digital and economic gap between urban and rural America. University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is the primary research university in Nebraska (an EPSCoR state) and has a broad range of research activities in various locations across Nebraska, including precision agriculture, autonomous driving, and Internet of things. Existing wireless connectivity solutions, e.g., LoRaWAN, WLAN, and commercial cellular, cannot support diverse research projects in the field, in terms of coverage, throughput, flexibility, cost-efficiency, and performance assurance. This project outlines a novel open end-to-end cellular edge network (Husker-Net) by designing, deploying, and operating private 5G network over a light-licensed CBRS spectrum in multiple UNL campuses. Husker-Net is featured with ultra-low operating cost with open-source modules, flexible deployment with both wired and wireless backhaul (e.g., LEO in mid of Nebraska), and zero-touch management with automatic model-free algorithms. To achieve Husker-Net, this project will 1) design a new convergent RAN-Edge-CN architecture with open-source RAN, Edge, and CN modules, 2) design new cost-efficient RAN and CN virtualization techniques with isolated virtualized resources, and 3) design a new model-free resource allocation algorithm to support co-existed research projects via end-to-end network slicing with assured performances. The derived solutions and real-world operation datasets in Husker-Net will be open sourced to promote the openness of cellular networks and broader access by the research community. Husker-Net will support more than 10 research projects across multiple departments at UNL with the assistance of ITS, and continue exploring more projects along with the Office of Research & Economic Development (ORED). Based on Husker-Net, a campus-wide education experimental platform will be developed for serving a series of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses at UNL. Husker-Net will serve as the exemplary platform for the evaluation and testing of private networks for the Midwest states.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.